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Our Work

Through the years, Gardner and his team have created, developed and executed numerous programs and projects. Some examples of those accomplishments and projects include:

 

  • Re-creating the Agricultural Relations Council, which had fall from 150 members to about 25 over the course of a decade. Was asked to re-energize the association. In a few years, the organization has grown to more than 100 members, developed an awards program, created a hall of fame, developed a new web site and much more.
     

  • Taking the American Agricultural Editors’ Association from the red to the black in one year by developing a zero-based budgeting program, enlisting corporate sponsors to pay for educational programs and creating new programs to generate revenue for the organization. Fourteen years later the association and its foundation has reached new levels of value to its members.  Retired as executive director of AAEA in 2016.
     

  • Creating the MAX Program (unique method to determine profitability on the farm) with Successful Farming magazine and the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) in the 1980s.
     

  • Creating the Environmental Stewardship Award program for Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), a national program which recognizes golf course superintendents for environmental excellence.
     

  • Creating the re-organized Project EverGreen, a national alliance of end-user companies, suppliers, associations and media companies designed to develop a national consumer marketing campaign to promote the environmental, economic and lifestyle benefits of well-maintained lawns, landscapes and other green spaces.
     

  • Creating the first corporate sponsorship program for the Minnesota State High School League. Also developed the Challenge Cup program (contest for sports and fine arts excellence in high school) and the ExCEL Award Program, a recognition program for high school juniors active in athletics/fine arts, academics and community/church volunteerism/leadership.
     

  • Creating the Turf & Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) in the late 1980s from the original concept to its development, legal organization and now day-to-day management. Includes membership relations, an annual meeting, newsletter, scholarship programs, numerous communications awards and other miscellaneous duties managing the association. TOCA is a 501(c) (6) non-profit. He also created a 501(c) (3) foundation for the organization as well.
     

  • Developing and managing on an annual basis the all-tournament team selection program for numerous state high school tournaments (soccer, volleyball, boys and girls hockey, boys and girls basketball, softball, wrestling, one-act play, speech, dance, lacrosse and baseball).

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